1. Greek Government & Law

2. Focus Points Development of Greek Democracy
Characteristics of Greek Society
Contrasting Athenian and Spartan cultures

3. Law & Government Glossary
autocracy
tyranny
oligarchy
aristocracy
Direct democracy
Representative democracy
monarchy
republic

4. What was so special
about the Greeks?

5. How did Geography shape Greek Life? The Sea The Land The Climate
Conclusions – City States

6. Early Greece: Minoan Civilization
Evidence suggests that Minoan civilization was well developed by around 2000B.C.
Crete (soil unsuitable for many crops – trade by sea widely, including with Mycenae)
Was influenced by civilizations of Nile Valley & Fertile Crescent but developed many unique features – frescoes, carved figures in bronze, ivory, gold,
Form of writing called Linear B (early form of Greek)

7. Minoan Fleet

8. Early Greece: Mycenaean Civilization
Early Indo-European settlers arrived on the Greek Mainland around 2000 B.C. settled in southern Greece
Built fortified cities: Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos - Mycenae was fortified by a wall more than 20ft thick
Rulers controlled the surrounding areas.Mycenaean Kings dominated Greece 1600 – 1100 B.C.
Adopted many elements of Minoan culture
Trojan War 1200’s B.C. – 10 year war with Independent Anatolian trading city Troy

9. Reconstruction of Mycenae

10. Early Greece: Dorians Invade
Both Mycenaean & Minoan civilizations weakened by earthquakes
By 1200 B.C all major Mycenaean cities destroyed
New migrating tribes (Dorians) arrive
Less advanced – “Greek Dark Age” Dorians appear to have been illiterate. No written record exists between B.C.
Until Phoenician traders introduced an alphabet around 750 B.C.

11. Development of City-States 800’s-700’s B.C.
By 750 B.C. the method of governing areas had changed from tribal to more formal governments (city-states or POLIS)
Grew around fortified hilltops
POLIS: Greek city-state – the fundamental political unit of ancient Greece after about 750 B.C.
POLIS: Fort, the city and the surrounding land

12. Shared Features of City-States
square miles
Small population (most fewer than 10,000)
Only free adult men had all rights of citizenship
Women were considered citizens without political rights
Citizens gathered at the AGORA (marketplace) or on a fortified hilltop ACROPOLIS to discuss city government
Spoke the same language
Shared many religious ideas
Greek myth that all Greeks were descended from Hellen (Hellenistic)
Festivals such as Olympic Games brought them together

13. Why were the Greeks Special?
Create your own A3 poster showing the contributions of Greek Civilization
This is intended to introduce you to the scope of Greek contributions (in summary - why we are studying Greek civilization) and some key individuals that we will look at in more detail later.
Make this as attractive as you can – use bullet points notes, representative diagrams/symbols and pictures from internet.

14. City- State Political Structures
Greek City-States had different structures
Monarchy, Oligarchy, Tyrants
Using the handout create a mind map for each of these within the Greek context

15. The Rise of Athens
Watch the film and answer the questions to learn about the growth of Athens and the path to democracy
MP3 files are loaded on Forum

16. Social Structure in Athens under the Aristocracy
Aristocrats: Archons (9 rulers each serving a 1 yr), Judges (unwritten laws)
Citizens
All adult male citizens met in an assembly whenever necessary and elected Archons
Metics
(non-citizens)
Slaves

17. How did democracy develop in Ancient Greece?
Cleisthenes – noble Athenian of the Alcmaeonid family
508 B.C. overthrew tyrants and made sweeping changes that turned Athens into a limited democracy
Divided tribes into 10 clans, subdivided into local governments (DEMES)
Clans each chose 50 members of Council of 500 – by lot
Members served 1 year – 2 term limit
Jurors also chosen by lot (from citizens)

18. How did Pericles change Athens?
Pericles’ changes
How this strengthened democracy and Athens
Increased the number of public officials that were paid salaries
Use pp of the handout
Time limits on holding office
Introduction of Direct Democracy
Hold and strengthen the Athenian Empire
Glorification of Athens
Using pp of the handout

19. Athenian Government & Law
(checks and balances)
Citizen Assembly
(the parliament)
(Male landowners
All Freemen)
Archons
(Advisors)
Council of 500
Aereopagus
(criminal law court, made up of former archons)
(the government)
citizens (30+)
1 year term
2 term limit
paid
chosen by lottery.
Court of Appeals
Questions:
How did Pericles extend democracy?
How did paying people to attend the Assembly help democracy?
Why do you think there were time limits on holding office?
What do you think ‘checks and balances’ are?

20. Democracy in the Age of Pericles
Dominated Athenian public affairs between 461B.C.- 429B.C.
Great general, orator, and statesman
The time of Athens’ greatest power and prosperity
Democracy reaches its height (Direct Democracy)
All male citizens could hold office (not just landowners)
Officeholders received salaries
Most offices were chosen by lot
Women did not hold full citizenship.
Athens still supported by slavery

21. Ostracism Exiled for 10 years 6000 citizens had to vote for ostracism
Designed to prevent civil unrest and civil war
Athenians feared too much power in the hands of one or a few people

22. Democracy Who were the founding fathers of democracy?
What are the characteristics of Athenian democracy?
Draw a diagram or cartoon to that would help someone understand the main elements of Democracy